In 1605, one gory slaying after another disrupts the team of Cambridge scholars James I has assembled to prepare a new English translation of the Bible in this feverish historical thriller from DePoy (Dead Easy
). Deacon Francis Marbury, the project's local supervisor, thinks he's been sent a trustworthy aide to help solve the murders, but the enigmatic Brother Timon is actually an agent of Pope Clement bent on sabotage. The Catholic church fears the group's study of ancient texts may be uncovering dire secrets that question the basis of all
branches of organized Christianity. Much more blood is spilled before Timon can decide where his soul's allegiance really belongs. Clearly, both the king and the pope are insane, but personal obsessions dog many other characters, who spend excessive time skulking through chilly corridors and slashing at dark shadows. Fans of theological melodrama should enjoy this, but others may tire of the bloody hugger-mugger. (May)
